Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-03-29
An APPEAL FOls IRELAND.
Address Of the President 81 the Irish
National League % America

The following address has been issued by the
executive board OF the Irish National League OF
America:
To the American Pa5tsc and 10 tAe lrishmea Of
america.
The corporation OF Dublin. the metropolitan city
OF Ireland has appealed 70 the Christian world for
the protests OF humanity against the further per-
secution OF the Irish people by the British gov
ernment. A time has come In the relations OF IRE
land and England when the laws OF God and the
dictates OF humanity become superior to every
ruling OF internal etiquette, and demand from the
morality OF the world stern denunciation Of the
course about 10 be pursued by the tory govern
a as SgainS, tne Irish The voice OF Amefa az
outrages are to be Inflicted robbed and perse-
cuted nation. British statesmen who now chain
pion policy OF justice to Ireland, and condetnu CO.
ercion by the tory government az alike cruel and i'm
polite, did not hesitate 10 denounce oppression by
the Turks In Bulgaria. Are the Irish less 20 Amer
lea than the Bulgaffans were to England that
Americans should hesitate TO interfere in Ireands
behalf against the cruelties Of the British govern
moral and constitutional agitation to recover their
Just and legitimate social and political rights. The
voice OF scotland and OF Wales and OF the mass OF
OF Ireland and proclaimed the justice OF her case.
Gladstone, Morley, Laboachere. and every English
leader worthy the name OF statesman have pro-
claimed themselves advocates OF irsland's claims
10 legislative Independence. II is no longer the
English people who oppose the restoration OF Ire
have throttled alike both Britain and Ireland aud
nave fattened for generations on public plumber,
with the proceeds OF (which they can use the lever
OF corruption TO Lift them into power and maintain
themselves therein.
The cause OF ireland IN the cause OF che British
temporary, and to this fact may We attribute the
Oltter and unrelenting opposition OF the British
tories The Irish do not pretend TO fight against
the English, but against the oppressors OF both.
can demand from an oppressed nation, and now,
as last Effort, they ask the Interference OF the
Christian world to prevent their dest,ucton As
the representative body Of the irish race on this
continent, re-echo that appeal ask the Amer
lean press and people to pass their verdict the
treatment now being meted out to the irish people
Oy heartleSs ana venom blinded tory govern
ment. Let them say boldly II the Irish have not
dlspiared all the forbearance that human nature
Is capable OF In their passive resistance to such i'll
human laws as those TO which the British govern
ment would force them to submit.
There is no law, human or divine that cpmpels
nation 10 passiveiy accept annihilation; and II
these British tories are permitted to heap addi-
tional wrongs on the Irish people, despair will
nerve the Irish TO active resistance ana wild alt.
alton. The very deer turn on their purs,irers
when driven 10 bay, and II nothing viii satisfy
the British government but the destruction Of the
Irish people, Ireland will be justified before God
and man in selling her life az the heaviest price
she can obtain. and In using every weapon the
ingenuity OF man can place within her reach.
ask the Justice OF the freedom-lovfng people OF
America 10 prevent this terrible contamination of
British crime and disagreement. Let the con-
ireland ring from every community on this CONT
| nent.
l ask the honest and fearless press OF America
to sustain the efforts OF Mr. Parnel and Mr.. Glad
stone to inaugurate policy OF justice and liberty
In opposition TO the tyranny OF Lord Salisbury
appeal most fOrcibly TO the Irish race In America
10 arouse themselves to immediate action. In an
especial manner address myself TO those OF our
BLOOD whom God has blessed with abundance, 10
hces OF their people. No rank nor power can Jus
THY any man In refusing to Identify himself with
the race to which he belongs. and the man who
thus shtrks his duty deserves the contempt Of his
fellow men.
With the fullest confidence in their never-failinp
the Irish race In America TO repeat the splendid
/ generosity they have 50 often extended toward
Their struggling brethren in Ireland. Nh. Parncll
Ing for the Irish people. With Gods help the time
VIII not be long; but long or short, no Irishmau
must perish for want. OF lrish-American support,
ana no IrlSh-American is SO poor that by self.
sacrifice he cannot contribute his mite to the frfs
cause. advise the officers OF the League 10 make
redoubied Efforts to increase its membership
Every man OF Irish blood IN the United States and
canada should be enrolled in the League wherever
| Ii Is possible, and steps should be taken TO re-
organize diSbandcd branches and establish new
ones. TO those OF our people living on farms too
remote from each other To form branches OF the
League, | viii say that the Rev. Dr. OReilly, OF
Detroit, Mich, Will receive their subscriptions
and promptly acknowledge the same 10 the public
press. They have every opportunity, therefore 10
share In lrelands struggle and should lose no time
| As their means Will permit.
In this crisis also earnestly ask the assistance
| and support OF the Irtsh-American press for the
lifSh National League. Let us have one grand.
effective organization, with one heart and one
voice, pledged TO sustain Mr.. Parneil and his Irish
associates With all our strength and influence In
their Efforts to recover the legislative indepen-
deDce or ireland, aided by Mt. Gladstone and the
British democracy, who strive 10 replace tory op-
preston with the broad principles OF human lib
| erty and International justice.
Yours. faithfully, JOHN FTTzGERALD.
President Irish National League VI America.